About Us

Who We Are

The Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association (MECA) is a non-profit association incorporated in Washington, D.C. It was formed in 1976 to provide solid technical information on emission control technology for motor vehicles. As the emission control industry grew in the subsequent decades, and as its member companies expanded control technology products to other sources, MECA's mission expanded as well. Today, MECA's members include leading manufacturers of a variety of emission control equipment and efficiency technologies for: 1) automobiles, trucks, and buses; 2) off-road vehicles; and 3) stationary sources.

According to data collected by MECA in 2008, the estimated U.S. sales of mobile source emission control technologies for on-road and off-road applications in 2005 was $16 billion. Despite the current state of the economy, these sales figures are expected to grow over the next decade -- MECA forecasts U.S. sales to grow to $26 billion in 2010 and to $36 billion in 2020 -- as the mobile source emission control industry continues to develop, optimize, and commercialize technologies in support of the many on- and off-road air pollution control regulations recently promulgated by the U.S. EPA and the California ARB. In terms of employment, MECA member companies currently account for approximately 65,000 green jobs in the U.S. These emission control-related jobs have been the foundation of the green economic movement in the U.S. that is set to grow rapidly over the next 10 years. In addition, President Barack Obama has committed to create five million new green jobs by investing $150 billion over the next 10 years in private industry to spur efforts to build a cleaner environment.

Furthermore, the total public health benefits associated with the implementation of these EPA and ARB regulations are estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars. For example, the EPA Tier 2 light-duty regulation and EPA Tier 3 small gasoline engine/marine gasoline engine regulation are expected to provide $29.3 billion in health benefits annually in 2030. For diesel vehicles and equipment, EPA's 2007/2010 heavy-duty on-road regulation, Tier 4 off-road diesel regulation, and Tier 4 locomotive and marine diesel regulation are projected to provide health benefits on the order of $181.1 billion in 2030. And, in California, the health benefits associated with ARB's in-use, on-road diesel private fleet regulation are estimated to be $69 billion cumulative from 2010 to 2025 and $26 billion cumulative for ARB's in-use, off-road diesel public and private fleet regulation from 2009 to 2030.

What We Do

MECA's mission is to provide technical information on emission control and efficiency technologies, thereby facilitating the establishment of a strong and effective state, national, and international air quality policy that promotes public health, environmental quality, and industrial progress. MECA strives to keep its members apprised of developments that affect the emission control industry so that they can make informed business decisions.

As the leading spokesperson for the motor vehicle emission control industry in North America, MECA seeks to evaluate and respond to regulatory initiatives and otherwise promote an understanding of the air quality benefits of its member companies' technologies.

MECA's principal activities on behalf of its members include:

Government relations

U.S. EPA liaison: MECA maintains close contact with technical experts and policy planners at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other federal government agencies concerned with environmental issues and regulations. MECA acts as a central source of information on emission technology and industry capabilities and views. In turn, it keeps members informed of regulatory and other developments of significance to the industry. MECA also serves on EPA technical advisory committees.

Congressional liaison: MECA monitors and reports on congressional actions which affect the industry and answers requests for technical and industry information from congressional committees involved in environmental and related legislation.

State and local liaison: Regional, state, and local air quality agencies play an important role in our nation's efforts to clean up the air we breathe. MECA works very closely with officials, answering questions and providing information on emission control technology issues. MECA members are kept informed on regional, state, and local actions that affect their interests. Also, MECA serves on state and local technical advisory committees.

International activities

The market for emission control equipment and efficiency technologies has become a world market. MECA supports efforts by foreign countries to implement effective air quality programs by providing information on recent technological developments, conducting technology briefings for air quality officials, and sponsoring international technical conferences. MECA also helps its members keep apprised of business opportunities throughout the world.

Industry relations

MECA maintains contact with other organizations concerned with national and international environmental questions. MECA has played an active role working together with other industry groups and public interest groups to promote the effectiveness of emission control and efficiency technologies.

Public information services

MECA maintains contact with the media and acts as a central source of information on matters involving emission control and efficiency technologies. MECA, for example, issues press releases and provides background, explanatory, and technical information for news stories and technical reports. MECA has issued a series of technical reports on subjects related to motor vehicle and stationary source emission control. MECA maintains an Internet website which contains current information and reports on emission control and efficiency technologies and regulatory developments.

Special studies

MECA undertakes special studies and cooperative test programs on issues of major importance to the industry and air quality officials. For example, MECA conducts comprehensive emission testing programs to demonstrate the capabilities of advanced emission control technologies to help significantly reduce emissions from passenger cars, light trucks and heavy-duty vehicles such as urban buses and line-haul trucks. MECA also participates with industry partners and government agencies in test programs designed to provide important data on motor vehicle emission control and efficiency issues.

Washington presence

MECA provides the emission control and efficiency technology industries with a responsible and responsive presence in the nation's capital, able to work with government, industry, public, and private groups to ensure that the emission controls industry and its products are properly represented and understood. At the same time, it keeps members informed of all important policy and other developments with potential impact on the industry.

Membership in MECA is open to all firms that manufacture emission control equipment and efficiency technologies for sale to the motor vehicle and engine industries.

Special associate memberships are available to firms that are developing, but do not plan to market, emission control and efficiency technologies.